Merchants: Area's Image Cuts Business

October 19, 1985|The Morning Call

Several merchants in the 10th and Linden streets area of Allentown say their business has dropped off because of the reputation their neighborhood has gotten for being a hangout for male prostitutes and transvestites.

The merchants met two weeks ago to discuss forming a 10th Street merchants association, which would address improving the reputation of the area, said Francis Davis, manager of Kershner's Used Furniture at 22 N. 10th St. He said his business has declined in recent months. "The customers have called and asked if they will be safe coming down to the store," he said.

Jean Bertz, owner of D.J.'s Potpourri at 35 N. 10th St., said she is glad a merchants group is being formed because "better planning is needed to coordinate their efforts."

They contend the area is like any other in the city during business hours, adding that the prostitutes and transvestites appear late at night near the Stonewall bar. Merchants say the number of customers has decreased significantly since June when a newspaper article described the night street life in the area.

"People read that article and are afraid to come down here now. Someeven live a block away," said Judy Barnett, owner of Barnett's 10th Street Laundromat. "We're all going in the hole here."

"I could really chew someone's ear on this," Bertz said. "It is not dangerous here at night. My husband and I sometimes work in the shop until 2 a.m. and we never have any problems."

Allentown Assistant Police Chief Gerald Monahan said the area "is not really a trouble spot as far as crime is concerned." He said police foot patrols walk through the area regularly. Most of the calls in the area are nuisance complaints.

The police vice squad also patrols the area for prostitutes, Monahan said.

"This is a business street during business hours," Barnett said. "We're all new businesses trying to make it."

Cynthia Key, owner of Reruns, an "antique and vintage" clothing shop at 22 N. 10th St., has been a merchant on the street for 2 1/2 years. She said her business has declined considerably in the past six months.

None of the merchants said they've approached the city Chamber of Commerce about the problem.